Abraham Lincoln said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four hours sharpening the axe.” In his book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey mentions one: Sharpen the saw. The Bible teaches this: “If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. (Ecclesiastes 10:10)
Plan:
Effective people plan how to do their work. They understand the magnitude of work to be done—the resources needed including time. The Lord Jesus Christ taught that before a person builds a house, or a king goes to war, should estimate the resources. (Luke 14:28-30) If the resources are not adequate, should not start the work or the king should not start the war, but try to make peace.
Prioritize:
There is an order of doing things. What should be done first, and sequential order of things to be done? Without a proper plan, it is difficult to prioritize. It includes values. For a believer, does the plan or work bring glory to God, enhance His kingdom, and establish God’s righteousness?
Prepare:
There are a few people who plan, and prioritize, but fail to prepare. In the Parable of Foolish Virgins, the five had understood the plan. First, The plan was to go to the marriage venue to wait for the bridegroom to arrive. Second, they were in the right company who were invited and were going to the wedding ceremony. Third, they carried the lamp with them. Fourth, at the right time, they were present. However, the five foolish virgins were not adequately prepared, as they failed to carry the oil needed for the lamps. (Matthew 25:1-13)
Execute:
Without planning, prioritization, and preparation, work cannot be done well, with appropriate expenses, and on time. Hence, many people are not good stewards of the resources that are entrusted to them. Instead of gaining five more talents with the five givens, perhaps they get only two or three instead.
Am I a faithful steward of planning, prioritizing, preparing, and executing?